On July 6, 2026, polyester POY quotes in Zhejiang's chemical fiber market showed significant divergence: Rongsheng Petrochemical reported 7,800 yuan/ton, while Tongkun Group's Hengteng Differential Fiber reported 8,400 yuan/ton, a spread of 600 yuan/ton. Such range volatility is rare in recent years, signaling subtle shifts in the supply-demand structure.
Industrial Logic Behind Quote Divergence
Among the eight companies participating in the quotes, from giants like Rongsheng and Tongkun to mid-sized players like Zhejiang Juxing and Senkai New Materials, the gap between the highest and lowest reached 7.7%, far exceeding the average 3%-5% range of the past three months.
The direct cause lies in differences in cost control and product positioning. Tongkun, with its fully integrated chain from PTA to spinning, enjoys cost advantages in raw materials, yet its higher quote may reflect premium pricing for quality or service. Rongsheng's low-price strategy at 7,800 yuan/ton likely aims to clear inventory or grab market share through price competition.
More deeply, this reflects a reshaping competitive landscape within Zhejiang's polyester filament industry. The two core production hubs, Shaoxing and Hangzhou, are no longer competing solely on scale; differentiation in quality, service, and pricing strategy is emerging. For downstream weaving enterprises, procurement decisions can no longer rely on average market prices but require supplier-specific evaluation.
Impact on Downstream Weaving and Foreign Trade
Polyester POY is a key intermediate in the weaving chain. At current quotes, the per-ton cost difference of 600 yuan translates to about 0.3-0.5 yuan per meter of grey fabric. For medium-sized weaving mills with annual purchases of thousands of tons, this means profit swings of hundreds of thousands of yuan annually.
In foreign trade, demand for polyester fabrics in Europe and Southeast Asia is still recovering, but brand buyers are highly price-sensitive. Sustained divergence in POY quotes could disrupt order pricing and cause delays. Some exporters may turn to low-cost raw materials to maintain order margins, but must guard against quality risks.
Notably, Zhejiang accounts for over 40% of national chemical fiber capacity. This quote divergence could trigger a chain reaction, squeezing small and medium POY producers and accelerating industry consolidation. High-priced firms must justify their premiums with stable quality and delivery.